Paedophile could face indefinite detention

Paedophile could face indefinite detention - Yahoo New Zealand

A Far North teacher who admitted nearly 50 charges of abusing boys in his care over 14 years may be sentenced to preventative detention, meaning he would be kept behind bars indefinitely.

James Parker, 37, who taught at Kaitaia's Pamapuria School for about 12 years, appeared in Kaitaia District Court on Thursday.

He had already admitted 49 charges of sexual offending involving around a dozen boys aged 11 to 13.

However, after eight more victims came forward 23 new charges were laid, including indecent assault, performing an indecent act and four charges of sexual violation, all against boys aged under 16.

A pre-sentence report recommended handing the case up to the High Court, which can impose preventive detention, media widely reported on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, Parker entered no plea to the new charges and did not look at any of his alleged victims sitting in the court's public gallery.

He was arrested and charged in August with sexually abusing some of his pupils.

In a report last week, the recently-appointed commissioner of Pamapuria School, Larry Forbes, says there were a number of reasons Parker was not caught since he began working there in 1999, despite the suspicions of other teachers.

"Uncle Jamie", who organised the school's kapa haka group, would cuddle boys at school, have them overnight at his house and shower with them.

But because Parker had adult girlfriends it was not believed he was abusing boys.

Also appearing in court on Thursday morning, to face more charges, was prominent Far North businessman Daniel Taylor.

The 33-year-old fainted when five more serious child abuse charges were laid on top of the 17 he was already facing. He was taken from the courtroom to be given medical attention in custody.